For a cleaner environment
heliogen clean energy stated that it has discovered a way to use artificial intelligence, through an array of a huge field of mirrors that can reflect an amount of sunlight capable of generating intense heat exceeding 1,000 degrees celsius.
experts say this disclosure is an existential issue for us and for future generations. the story started when patrick sun xiong, a biotech billionaire, created a solar furnace that could reach t e m p e r a t u r e s around a quarter of the surface of the sun. this scientific breakthrough means that concentrated solar energy can be used for the first time to create the intense heat required to make materials such as cement, steel, glass, and other industrial processes.
in other words, carbon-less sunlight can replace fossil fuels, the largest source of heavy carbon. “we are introducing technology that can beat fossil fuel prices and also not produce carbon dioxide emissions,” bill gross, founder, and director of heliogen told cnn.
“this is really the holy ‘grail’.” xiong and gross believe that patented technology will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly from heavy industries. for example, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from the cement industry exceeds 7 percent of all global harmful emissions.
unlike traditional solar energy, which uses panels on rooftops to capture energy from the sun, heliogen is working to improve what is known as concentrated solar energy.
this technique of using mirrors to reflect the sun to one point is not new. it has been used in the past to produce electricity, and in some limited forms of heat generation for industry. it is even used in oman to provide the energy needed for oil exploration.
the problem, however, is that concentrated solar energy in the past could not obtain enough high temperatures to make cement and steel. because of the industry’s promised future, billionaire bill gates, microsoft founder, has invested in this company, along with other big investors.
gates said: “i am glad i was one of the first to support bill gross’ solar energy technology. its ability to achieve the high temperatures required for these processes is a promising development in the quest to replace fossil fuels one day.” since solar energy is not available or shining around the clock, and some industries require continuous energy, heliogen will solve this problem by relying on storage systems that can keep solar energy during rainy days.
heliogen also seeks to persuade industrial companies that use fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, heavily to make an investment in the company. the company is also in talks with potential clients from the private sector, and will announce soon the first of them, they will get a high temperature and environmentally friendly, and at a lower cost.
now, will our new government, or the kuwait investment authority, think about engaging in this activity, and investing a large amount in this company, equal to what was invested in aramco’s shares?
